barely varied from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "barely varied from" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is only slightly different from something else. Example: "The results of the experiment barely varied from the initial predictions, confirming the hypothesis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Notably, in that period, McGrady's points average (21.1) barely varied from his season's (21.8).

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

This is because an applicator's pesticide exposure is a stochastic process (accidents happen) that varies wildly from day to day, unlike the applicator's weight that is a relatively constant process that barely varies from day to day.

Environmental Health Perspectives

In his first four full seasons, Wright's yearly strikeout total barely varied.

The New York Times - Sports

The weather The temperature barely varies in Manaus, averaging 23-27C year round.

The Guardian - Travel

Stripes like these mean that the corresponding parameter barely varies in its value over all experiments.

BMC Systems Biology

Functional severity varied from incapacitating to barely detectable with specific tasks.

Brain

Estimates of the number that perished in the disturbances, which lasted to the beginning of October, have varied from 2,000 by a Roman Catholic apologist to 70,000 by the contemporary Huguenot Duke de Sully, who himself barely escaped death.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The technician varied from visit to visit.

The New York Times - Magazine

Their routine varied from day to day.

The New Yorker

The number varied from five to six.

The New York Times - Arts

The challenges varied from firm to firm.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, maintain consistency by using similar phrases within the same document if you need to describe a similar degree of change or difference.

Common error

Avoid using "barely varied from" when the differences are actually significant. This can mislead your audience and undermine your credibility. Choose a phrase that accurately reflects the magnitude of the change.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barely varied from" functions as a qualifier, indicating that there was a minimal difference or change between two compared items or situations. Ludwig AI confirms that it's correct and usable. It is typically followed by a noun phrase specifying what the subject varied from.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "barely varied from" is a grammatically sound and useful expression for conveying a minimal difference between two things. As Ludwig AI points out, it is correct and suitable for formal writing. The phrase appears across different contexts, but is more frequently seen in news, scientific, and encyclopedic sources. Alternatives such as "hardly differed from" or "scarcely deviated from" can provide similar meanings with slightly different nuances. When using "barely varied from", ensure the context accurately reflects a small degree of change to maintain clarity and credibility in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hardly differed from

This phrase replaces "barely" with "hardly", emphasizing the minimal difference.

scarcely deviated from

This alternative uses "scarcely" and "deviated" to highlight the lack of significant departure.

marginally differed from

This phrase replaces "barely" with "marginally", indicating a slight difference.

showed minimal difference from

This version explicitly states "minimal difference", clarifying the extent of the variation.

almost remained the same as

This alternative focuses on the similarity, suggesting near identity.

changed insignificantly from

This phrase highlights the lack of importance in the change.

was virtually identical to

This indicates an almost perfect match, with very little to distinguish between the two.

approached being indistinguishable from

This emphasizes how close the two items are to being impossible to tell apart.

remained essentially unchanged from

This suggests that any changes were superficial and did not affect the core nature.

differed only slightly from

This explicitly states that any differences were minor.

FAQs

How can I use "barely varied from" in a sentence?

Use "barely varied from" to indicate that something changed very little. For example, "The experimental results "barely varied from" the control group's results, suggesting the treatment had little effect."

What are some alternatives to "barely varied from"?

You can use alternatives such as "hardly differed from", "scarcely deviated from", or "marginally differed from" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "barely varied from" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "barely varied from" is suitable for formal writing as it is grammatically correct and conveys a precise meaning. It is often found in academic, scientific, and professional contexts.

What is the difference between "barely varied from" and "significantly differed from"?

"Barely varied from" indicates a minimal change or difference, while "significantly differed from" indicates a substantial and important change. The choice depends on the actual extent of the variation you are describing.